Condenser.



No. 697,666. Patented Apr.l5, I902. F. SARGENT.

CONDENSER.

(Application filed Feb. 9. 1901.;

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-$heet I.

m: NURms FETERS co, PNOTO-LITNQ, 'wAsnlNoromp. c.

Patented.Apr. l5, I902.

F. SARGENT.

6 ON D E N S E R.

lApplication filed Feb. 9, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

172F572 507"; fidzmbfSwyazM FREDERICK SARGENT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CONDENSER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 697,666, dated. April 15, 1902.

Application filed February 9, 1901. Serial No. 46,667. (No model.)

To all whom it 772/6! concern.-

Beit known that I, FREDERICK SARGENT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Condensers, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

Myinvention relates to condensersemployed for reducing exhaust-steam to water, and has forits object the provision of improved means whereby air maybe exhausted from the condenser from time to time. As is well known, condensers of this class employ sprays or jets for distributing cold water within the interior of the condenser either in a finely-subdivided state throughout the steam or against deflecting-plates to afford cooling-surfaces against which the exhaust-steam may impinge.

In the process of condensing steam it is advantageous to have a vacuum or partial vacuum in the condenser, which is restored from time to time as the steam and water import a quantity of air as the entry into the condenser is effected.

My invention has for its object the provision of very simple means for effecting the withdrawal of the air, which means may be applied to a condenser having a barometric column or to one wherein a pump is employed for the purpose of passing over the condensing fluid.

Generally speaking, my invention may be described as consisting in its preferred embodiment of a hollow vessel to the interior of which the exhausted steam is conveyed and to which interior is also passing the cooling fluid, that is thereafter distributed within the chamber in the manner desired, either in the form of a spray or against cooling-plates or otherwise. The chamber in the preferred embodiment of the invention is provided with one or more cylinders that project through the top or other suitable portion of the chamber, the cylinder being provided with apertures or slots in its lower end and being also provided with a piston thatis adapted for reciprocation within-the cylinder. The apertures, slots, or other means for establishing communication between the interior of the cylinder and the chamber are so located with relation to the piston that the piston will travel below the same, thereby affording a vent for the air contained within the condensing-chamber, which air is thereafter forced out by the piston when it ascends. A similar device is preferably provided at the lower end of the condensing-chamber through which the condensing fluid may be forced from time to time, the pistons of these devices being prefferably actuated by a common prime mover.

I will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiments thereof, in which-- I Figure 1 shows a condensing apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention, and Fig. 2 illustrates a modification of the condensing apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1 I have illustrated a condensingchamber a, which may be of any suitable form, preferably cylindrical, and provided with a bottom 1), preferably of conical form, as shown. The exhaust-steam may be ad mitted to the condensing-chamber at any suitable point, an exhaust-pipe f beingillustrated in the present instance communicating to the side of the chamber. One or more cylinders 9 may project through the top of the condensing-chamber, the cylinder being preferably provided with a series of apertures h or other means for establishing communication between the interior of the cylinder and the in terior of the condensing-chamber. A reciprocating piston '11 is provided in the cylinder,

above which the slots h extend when the said piston is at the lower limit of its excursion,

as indicated in dotted lines. A suitable form of prime mover 7t may be employed to actuate the piston-rod Z, carrying the piston at conyey yvater from a suitable source'of supply to the reservoir 19.

Where the type of condenser illustrated in Fig. 1 is employed, I provide an improvement consisting of a pump-cylinder 1", having apertures s or other means for establishing communication between the condensing-chamber and the interior of the cylinder r. This cylinder is provided with a piston t, which when at the upper limit of its excursion extends above the portions of the slots 5, so that condensed fluid may pass beneath the piston into the elbow u, from which the fluid may be forced through the passages of checkvalves 2; as the piston 25 descends. The bottoms of the slots .9 are preferably located near the bottom of the chamber 1), so that the fluid need not accumulate within the chamber before it is extracted. The pistons t' and t are preferably mounted upon the same shaft, to be actuated by the same prime mover.

I have illustrated in Fig. 2 a modification of myimproved condensing apparatus, which may be employed in place of the pump-cylinder r to effect egress of the condensed fluid from the condensing-chamber. The modification consists of a stand-pipe cl for the liqi tained in a receptacle 6, a suitable overflow being provided in said receptacle, so that the condensing and condensed liquid maybe with drawntherefrom and onlyasuflicientamount of liquid allowed to remain therein so that the lower portion of the stand-pipe (1 may always be under water. It is apparent that with a vacuum in the condensing-chamber a the water in the stand-pipe 01 will remain at a constant level, depending upon the degree of vacuum in the said chamber a, irrespective of the amount of condensing liquid or con densed fluid admitted into said chamber, so that no pumping mechanism need be employed to withdraw the liquid from said con- (lensing-chamber.

The construction which I have described possesses numerous advantages. For instance, by locating the air-pump in direct communication with the condensing-chamber instead of at some distance from that chamber I am able to produce a much more complete vacuum than can be produced with the pump at a distance. The air-pump cylinder also being located in the coolest part of the condenser takes the air in its least rarefied condition, and thus assists in securing and maintaining the vacuum within the condenser. This result is further aided by the location of the pump-cylinder in the path of the inflowing cool medium, which passes around the cylinder.

Heretofore in all condensers in which a pump has been used for withdrawing the water of condensation the air-pump and the water pump have been united. This has made it necessary to sacrifice the efficiency which is secured by the construction which I have shown herein. The water-pump being necessarily located at a lowpoint in order to operate most effectively has prevented the location of the air-pump, when the two are thus combined, at the point where its operation is most efficient. By means of my invention as herein set forth, in which the two pumps are separated, although when used in the same condenser they can be operated by the same prime mover, I am able to secure the important results which I have above set forth.

It is obvious that changes may be made from the embodiment of my invention herein shown and particularlydescribed, and I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the precise construction shown; but,

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, the following:

1. A condensing apparatus provided with a vacuum-pump with the open end of its cylinder projecting into the condensing-chamber, means being provided for establishing communication between the interior of the condensing-chamber and the cylinder when the piston within the cylinder is at one end of its stroke, whereby as the piston is returned the air admitted to the cylinder may be forced out, substantially as described.

2. A condensing apparatus provided with a vacuum-pump with the open end of its cylinder projecting into the condensing-chamber, means being provided for establishing communication between the interior of the condensing-chamber and the cylinder when the piston within the cylinder is at one end of its stroke, whereby as the piston is returned the air admitted to the cylinder may be forced out, the head of the cylinder being provided with valve mechanism for permitting the egress of the air that is to be exhausted and preventing the ingress of atmospheric air, substantially as described.

3. In a condensing apparatus, the combination with a condensing-chamber, of a pumpcylinder through which the condensed fluid may be forced, the pump-cylinder being provided with communicating means affording communication between the interior of the away upon the reverse reciprocation of the piston, a vacuum-pump in direct communi-- cation with the condensing-chamber, and a common actuating device for cfiectin g the operation of the vacuum and fluid pumps, substantially as described.

4. In a condensing apparatus, the combination with a condensing-chamber, of a pumpcylinder through which the condensed fluid may be forced, the pump-cylinder being provided with communicating means affording communication between the interior of the condensing-chamber and the cylinder when the piston within the cylinder is at the corresponding end of its stroke, whereby fluid may pass from the condensing-chamber into the cylinder, whereupon the said fluid may be forced away upon the reverse reciprocation of the piston, a vacuum-pump having its cyl inder communicating directly with the interior of the condensing-chamber, and a common actuating device for effecting the operation of the vacuum and fluid pumps, sub stantially as described.

5. In a condensing apparatus, the combination with a condensing-chamber,of apumpcylinder through which the condensed fluid may be forced, the pump-cylinder being provided with communicating means affording communication between the interior of the condensing-chamber and the cylinder when the piston within the cylinder is at the corresponding end of its stroke, whereby fluid may pass from the condensing-chamber into the cylinder, whereupon the said fluid may be forced away upon the reverse reciprocation of the piston, a vacuum-pump with its cylinder projecting into the condensing-chamber, means being provided for establishing communication between the interior of the condensing-chamber and the cylinder when the piston within the cylinder is at one end of its stroke, whereby as the piston is returned the air admitted to the cylinder may be forced out, and a common actuatingdevice for efiecting the operation of the vacuum and fluid pumps, substantiallyas described.

6. In a condensing apparatus, the combination with a condensing-chamber, of a pump located incommunication with the bottom of said condensing-chamber for withdrawing the water of condensation, and a separate vacuum-pump located at the top of said condens ing chamber for exhausting the air, and means whereby both of said pumps may be operated by the same prime mover, substantially as described.

7. A condensing apparatus provided with a condensing-chamber, a vacuum-pump having the open end of its cylinder in direct communication with the condensing-chamber,and means independent ofsaidvacuum-pump for withdrawingcondensed fluid from said condensing-chamber, substantially as described. 1

8. A condensing apparatus provided with a condensing-chamber, a vacuum-pump having the open end of its cylinder communicatpump for effecting a withdrawal of fluid of condensation from said condensing-chamber, and a reservoir partially inclosing said vacuum-pump through which condensing liquid is" adapted to pass, substantially as described.

10. A condensing apparatus provided with a condensing-chamber, a vacuum-pump having its cylinder communicating directly with the interior of the condensing chamber, means independent of said vacuum-pump for efiecting a Withdrawal of fluid of condensation from said condensing-chamber,and a reservoir partially inclosing said vacuum-pump through which condensing liquid is adapted to pass, substantially as described.

11. A condensing apparatus provided with a condensing-chamber, a vacuum-pump in direct communication with the condensingchamber, means independent of said vacuumpump for eflecting a withdrawal of fluid of condensation from said condensing-chamber, a reservoir partially inclosing said vacuumpump through which condensing liquid is adapted to pass, and means in communication with said reservoir for spraying condensing liquid into said condensing-chamber, substantially as described.

12. A condensing apparatus provided with a condensing-chamber, a vacuum-pump having its cylinder communicating directly with the interior of the condensing-chamber,means independent of said vacuum-pump for effectinga withdrawal of fluid of condensation from said condensingchamber, a reservoir partially inclosing said vacuum-pump through Which'condensing liquid is adapted to pass, and means in communication with said reservoir for spraying condensing liquid into said .condensing chamber, substantially as 'de-.

scribed.

13. In a condensing apparatus, the combination with a condensing-chamber, of pumping means located at the top of and in communication with said condensing-chamber into which air is adapted to enter whichis thereafter removed therefrom through the agency of said pumping means, a pump into which liquid of condensation is adapted to enter to be thereafter removed therefrom through the agency of said pumping mechanism, and means for simultaneously operating both pumps, substantially as described.

14. In a condensing apparatus, the combination with a condensing-chamber, of apump located at the top of and projecting into said condensing-chamber, and a piston for said pump one end of said pump-cylinder being in constant communication with the said com densing-chamber, the remaining end of said cylinder being adapted for periodic communication with the said condensing-chamber, substantially as described.

15. In a condensing apparatus, the combination with a condensing-chamber, of a pump located at the top of and projecting into said condensing-chamber, a piston for said pump,

one end of said pump-cylinder being in coning the condensing liquid into the condensingchamber, and a pump for effecting the egress of liquid of condensation from the said condensing-ch-amber, substantially as described.

17. The combination with a condensingchamber, of a vacuum-pump having its cylinder projecting within the condensing-chamher, a reservoir for condensing liquid, inclosing thesaid vacuum-pump, means for spraying the condensingliquid into the condensingchamber, a pump for effecting the egress of liquid of condensation from the said condensing-chamber, and means for efiecting a simultaneous operation of both pumping means, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 2d day of February, A. D. 1901. FREDERICK SARGENT.

Witnesses:

GEORGE L. CRAGG, HERBERT F. OBERGFELL. 

